Tables and Autoshapes - shape won't take/hold position

[Randy Person]

This concerns Word 2002 SP3. I'm developing word search games for
environmental education and similar uses. I know there are dozens of sites
that will form the puzzles, but I want more control over the appearance of
the output. Word is available to all in our agency, and it gives me the
ability to prepare titles as I want, add images, and use all the Word tools
we are familiar with. I already know that to assure the table grid stays a
true square, I need to take control by specifying cell height and width,
setting internal margins to zero, and preventing expansion of the cells with
long letters, such as "m." The basic puzzle works fine. The problem is with
the answer key.
To show location of the hidden words, I use the standard AutoShape "rounded
rectangle," with the ends turned into a full semi-circle. I build one with
specified dimensions and formatting on a second page in the document, then
copy it and move the copy to the grid to "circle the word." I can't get the
AutoShape to align with the grid lines. Whether I move it with drag and
drop, or use Ctrl-arrow, when I move it down it almost merges with the grid,
but then jumps up and sideways (as I'm pushing the down arrow key). In the
process, it usually picks up one letter in one cell, which is formatted to
center the letters both directions, and moves it up to the top of the cell.
I've eliminated snap to grid already. None of the advanced shape format
options seem to help. All I want is for the AutoShape to glide over the
table, not affecting the table at all, and stay where I put it. Any ideas
would be really appreciated.

Randy Person

 

[Mary Sauer]

Do you have a draw program?
Years ago I downloaded a program that did exactly what you are trying to do
except it left out the superfluous letters rather than using the circles in the
answer sheet. It even sent the puzzle to Word.
It was $10 when I bought it, it is $15 now. Take a look of how it works, there
are screenshots.
http://www.gepetosoftware.com/activitymaker.htm

 

[Randy Person]

Thanks, Mary, but I really just want to work on a clean Word document from
scratch. I'm tantalizingly close with references to "floating" objects, but
of course Word help doesn't recognize "float," so I don't know how to assure
that an AutoShape is floating above the table grid. I just need the shapes
to move around without affecting what's under them.